What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingRoyal Jelly
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Resveratrol
Antioxidant
Lecithin
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Octocrylene, Butylene Glycol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ectoin, Phenoxyethanol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Royal Jelly, Centella Asiatica Extract, Allantoin, Panthenol, Resveratrol, Lecithin, Disodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
PEG-100 Stearate
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
Isohexadecane
EmollientLauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Zinc Hydrolyzed Hyaluronate
HumectantGlucosylrutin
Antioxidant
Propanediol
Solvent
Zea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Hydrolyzed Corn Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentHydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantIsoquercitrin
Antioxidant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
Emulsifying
Buddleja Officinalis Flower Extract
UV FilterPhenylethyl Resorcinol
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Hydrated Silica
Abrasive
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glucose
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Propylene Glycol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Octocrylene, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, C14-22 Alcohols, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Glyceryl Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-100 Stearate, Titanium Dioxide, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Cyclohexasiloxane, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Parfum, Isohexadecane, Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Polysorbate 80, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Sorbitan Oleate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ectoin, Zinc Hydrolyzed Hyaluronate, Glucosylrutin, Propanediol, Zea Mays Starch, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch Octenylsuccinate, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Isoquercitrin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Buddleja Officinalis Flower Extract, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Lactic Acid, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Hydrated Silica, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Glucose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Also known as Avobenzone, this ingredient is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-A range.
Avobenzone is globally approved and is the most commonly used UV-A filter in the world.
Studies have found that avobenzone becomes ineffective when exposed to UV light (it is not photostable; meaning that it breaks down in sunlight). Because of this, formulations that include avobenzone will usually contain stabilizers such as octocrylene.
However, some modern formulations (looking at you, EU!) are able to stabilize avobenzone by coating the molecules.
Avobenzone does not protect against the UV-B range, so it's important to check that the sunscreen you're using contains other UV filters that do!
The highest concentration of avobenzone permitted is 3% in the US, and 5% in the EU.
Learn more about Butyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolEctoin is a compound found naturally in some species of bacteria. It can be synthetically created for skincare use.
This ingredient is an osmolyte; Osmolytes help organisms survive osmotic shock (it protects them from extreme conditions). It does this by influencing the properties of biological fluids within cells.
When applied to the skin, ectoin helps bind water molecules to protect our skin. The water forms a sort of armor for the parts of our skin cells, enzymes, proteins, and more.
Besides this, ectoin has many uses in skincare:
A study from 2004 found ectoin to counteract the damage from UV-A exposure at different cell levels. It has also been shown to protect skin against both UV-A, UV-B rays, infrared light, and visible light.
Studies show ectoin to have dual-action pollution protection: first, it protects our skin from further pollution damage. Second, it helps repair damage from pollution.
In fact, ectoin has been shown to help with:
Fun fact: In the EU, ectoin is used in inhalation medication as an anti-pollution ingredient.
Ectoin is a highly stable ingredient. It has a wide pH range of 1-9. Light, oxygen, and temperature do not affect this ingredient.
The chemical name for this ingredient is Tetrahydromethylpyrimidine Carboxylic Acid.
Learn more about EctoinEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is an organic compound that provides UVB protection. It often goes by the more common name of octinoxate. It is created from methoxycinnamic acid and 2-ethylhexanol.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate absorbs UVB rays with wavelengths between 280-320 nm. UV absorbers protect your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy.
UVB (290-320 nm) rays emit more energy than UVA rays. They are capable of damaging DNA, causing sunburns and are thought to be linked to skin cancer.
The state of Hawaii has banned sunscreens containing octinoxate due to its potential impact on coral reefs. More research is needed to bridge gaps in this research. The European Union allows higher levels of octinoxate in sunscreens than the US and Australia.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is oil soluble. It is not stable and may lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl MethoxycinnamateOctocrylene protects skin from sun damage. It absorbs UV-B with peak absorption of 304 nm. It is a common sunscreen ingredient and often paired with avobenzone, a UVA filter. This is because octocrylene stabilizes other sunscreen ingredients by protecting them from degradation when exposed to sunlight. Octocrylene is a photostable ingredient and loses about 10% of SPF in 95 minutes.
Octocrylene also acts as an emollient, meaning it helps skin retain moisture and softens skin. It is oil-soluble and hydrophobic, enhancing water-resistant properties in a product.
Those who are using ketoprofen, a topical anti-inflammatory drug, may experience an allergic reaction when using octocrylene. It is best to speak with a healthcare professional about using sunscreens with octocrylene.
The EU allows a maximum of these concentrations:
Learn more about OctocrylenePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
